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Nestle awaits Army Corp review of site
(by Sue Reid - August 10, 2012)
Nestle awaits Army Corp review of site
By SUE REID
The biggest unknown with Nestle USA’s timeline to construct a product technology center on 18 acres of land is approvals through the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers.
“The biggest delay they face is the Army Corp,” City Planning Director Robert S. Frankland said last week of the site that parallels the Cleveland Metroparks South Chagrin Reservation and is at the corner of Cannon Road and Hawthorn Parkway. “They will move at their own pace. With the nature of reviews, that can take a long time.”
Nestle has applied for its permit, and “the wheels are turning in that area,” Mr. Frankland said. As part of the approval process, the city would require the Army Corp permit, wetland delineations and proof of mitigation.
“We’re continuing to work through the details associated with a project this large,” Roz O’Hearn, Nestle spokesperson, said of the 40,000-square-foot building to be constructed if approved by the Army Corp and city. Similar facilities cost between $50 million and $60 million to construct.
“In all of the planning work, we’re focused on minimizing impact on the property’s existing wetlands while preserving future expansion opportunities for our Harper Road facility,” Ms. O'Hearn said, adding the project’s timeline is dependent upon resolution of the remaining issues.
Mr. Frankland said he does not believe that issues raised by the city during an initial work session with Nestle are insurmountable, but due to Army Corp approvals, to begin construction this year would be “ambitious.”
Plans still are very preliminary at this point.
“We gave some preliminary direction on layout of plans,” he said. “At this point, we are waiting for follow-up of the initial meetings and on a submittal of a revised site plan, elevations and landscape plans.”
One of the issues raised by the city was that the project have as little impact as possible, vehicular and visual, for residents along Cannon Road, Mr. Frankland said. Residents in the area have cited concerns over increased traffic due to the project, as well as a decrease in property values as a result.
Mr. Frankland said that it is important that the project be moved as far away from the residential area as possible.
“Nestle has been advised that setback variances from the (U.S.) 422 right of way would be received favorably,” he said, “because it would push the building closer to the highway and away from the residential areas.”
The building has to be 150 feet from any residential property, Mr. Frankland said, which is the minimum setback in the city’s code. There is a 100 foot setback from the U.S. 422 right-of-way line.
“We’re recommending that they get closer,” he said, adding it still would be a long way off from the highway.
Once the administrative review is complete, plans will be submitted to planning commission and council, Mr. Frankland said.
Solon voters approved rezoning the property last year from R-1 single-family residential to I-2 industrial manufacturing based on a request from Nestle, which had the issue placed on the ballot through an initiative petition. Nestle, which owns the property, said the rezoning was necessary to allow the business to expand.
In other project updates, the company recently received approval from the Ohio Tax Credit Authority (TCA) for an incentive based on its expectation that the project will create 23 full-time positions, generate $2.2 million in additional annual payroll and retain $8.7 million in existing payroll. TCA approved a 45 percent, seven-year Job Creation Tax Credit for the project.
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